(Seated) Lecturer Sudarman, EDTEHM Industry Facilitator Kasun Abeynayaka, Economic Department Head Prof. Rev W. Wimalarathane, Tourism Studies Academic Coordinator Dr. D.A.C. Suranga Sliva, Lecturer Achini Dandunnage, Senior Industry Coordinator Upali Rathnayake and Industry Facilitator T.B.B. Sumith with the first batch of students of the Executive Diploma In Tourism, Event and Hospitality Management of the University of Colombo


The current global context reveals that the tourism industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. At present the world tourism industry represents nearly 11 percent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), around 8 percent of global employment and 9 percent of global wages. In this backdrop, this year’s World Tourism Day celebrations take stage on September 27 with the theme of ‘one billion tourists, one billion opportunities’.

Concurrent to the World Tourism Day Celebrations, the students of the first batch of the Executive Diploma In Tourism, Event and Hospitality Management (EDTEHM) of the University of Colombo, will be hosting the Tourism Leaders’ Summit, which will be held under the theme, ‘Billion Tourists and Billion Opportunities in MICE Tourism and Sustainable Tourism in Sri Lanka’. The summit, which will be held on September 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at BMICH, will culminate with an aptly themed ‘Wonderful Fusion Experience in Sri Lanka, Road to Culture and Cuisine’.

The provision of networking opportunities and integration of direct and indirect tourism stakeholder partnerships, as well as acknowledging the prerequisite requirement for the promotion of MICE and sustainable tourism development in Sri Lanka are the key strategic aims of the Tourism Leaders’ Summit.

The summit is organised with the principle objectives of identifying new opportunities that can be pursued to diversify the event management businesses and encourage innovative and analytical thinking to develop unique and novel products with regard to events, which will allow the local industry to explore new and emerging markets. The show will provide comprehensive knowledge of KPIs for the industry, structure and interrelationships of the industry, industry networks, information sources, distribution and marketing networks. It will also focus on imparting knowledge on understanding the role of contracts within a given business operation in a commercially realistic period of time so that the planning and relationship-building activities are successfully executed.  

Among the topics discussed will be sustainable tourism development, MICE tourism opportunities, investment, exports, people, culture, cuisine, government and e-commerce.

The provision of a useful and instrumental publication as a reference document and source of information for hospitality experts to promote hospitality development is also among the aims of organising this event. This will help industry stakeholders to successfully establish and maintain business relationships, conduct formal negotiations and manage agreements and contracts for a specific business operation.

Bandaranaike International Memorial Conference Hall (BMICH) Director Sunil Dissanayake will deliver the keynote address. Further, industry experts from Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, The Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association (CHSGA), Dilmah Tea, Antyra Solutions, Sri Lanka Association on Inbound Tour Operators (SLIATO) represented by Lanka Exhibition and Convention Services (LECS), Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference, Exhibition and Event Organizers (SLAPCEO) represented by Golden Isle Travels, Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management at SLIIT/William Angliss Institute Sri Lanka, Tourist Hotel Association of Sri Lanka represented by Jetwing Hotel Group (THASL), Sri Lanka Institute of National Tourist Guide Lecturers As (SLINTGL), Mount Lavinia Hotel (MLH), Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Board of Investments Sri Lanka (BOI) will present thought-provoking ideas and deliberate on how the local industry can exploit opportunities in global tourism. 

The summit and show will be an effective knowledge-sharing platform for INGO, NGOs, Diplomatic Community, industry professionals, researchers, students, media personnel and those who are interested in the tourism industry.

Moderation is by Prof Rev W. Wimalarathane, Head of the Department – Department of Economics, University of Colombo, Dr. D.A.C. Suranga Sliva, Academic Coordinator Tourism Studies (Department of Economics) – University of Colombo, Dr. Rohantha Athukorala, Chairman – Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau,  Paddy Withana, Chairman – Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Gayan Peiris, Manager (SriLankan Holidays) – SriLankan Airlines.        

The event is organised in partnership with the BMICH, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference, Exhibition and Event Organizers, Peoples’ Bank, Lanlo, Lanka Wine, Rockland Distilleries, Abans, Pigeon Island Beach Resort, Regent Spice Garden, Akuara Hotels, Excel World, Lion Royal Resorts, Mount Lavinia Hotel (MLH) and Ruhunu Mathra. The fusion show, which is to be unraveled on the same evening following the summit will showcase the best of the pearl of the Indian ocean, where there will be a fusion of culture, cuisine and Sri Lankan craft. The show will feature a demonstration of Sri Lanka’s renowned culinary master, Chef (Dr) Publis Silva and will also comprise of cultural performances on local spices, gems, nature and wildlife, our heritage, batik and tea.

The events are being held due to the unwavering commitment and endeavours, which were embarked upon by Dr. D.A.C. Suranga Silva, who was the founder of the tourism programmes at the University of Colombo. Thus, it is with utmost gratitude that that the students of the university has gone forth to organise events of this magnitude strengthened by the guidance and support of Dr. Silva, Upali Rathnayaka,  Kaleyselvam, T.B.B. Sumith, Nalin Gunasekara and Kasun Abeynayaka. 

For registration and queries you may contact Roshi Stronch on 077 304 3217, Prashanth on 077 727 8061. Closing date for entries is September 23, 2015.